Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Butner Medium I
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
| Skirts and dresses | Shorts and dresses must be at least knee length (0 inches above knee). |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Shorts allowed only if knee length, touching the knee when standing. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki clothing. No ranger green clothing. |
| Leggings, spandex | No form-fitting clothing. |
| Bras and metal | Not in the written rules. Some prisons ban underwire bras anyway, and the penalty can be more than being sent home. Wear a sports bra or a bra with no wire. |
| Camouflage, military | No camouflage clothing. |
| Shoes | No open or peep-toed shoes. No flip flops. |
| Children | Not in the written rules. |
All 17 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Shorts and dresses must be at least knee length (0 inches above knee).
Shorts and dresses must be
- Shorts allowed only if knee length, touching the knee when standing.
knee length at a minimum. Knee length is considered a length where the garment will touch
- No sleeveless shirts.
Sleeveless Shirts Visiting Regulations
- No form-fitting clothing.
Form Fitting Clothing
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki clothing.
Unauthorized: Clothing Khaki Clothing
- No ranger green clothing.
Camouflage/Ranger Green clothing
- No camouflage clothing.
Camouflage/Ranger Green clothing
Bras, underwear and metal
- Only wedding ring set, religious medallion, and stud earrings allowed; no watches.
1 wedding ring set Sanitary products 1 religious medallion
Shoes
- No open or peep-toed shoes.
Open or peep toed shoes
- No flip flops.
Open or peep toed shoes Flip Flops
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats or visors.
Sun Shades Hats Visors
- One religious headwear item authorized.
1 religious medallion 1 religious headwear
- No outerwear.
Camouflage/Ranger Green clothing Outerwear
Everything else
- No clothing with offensive language or logos.
No item of clothing displaying offensive language
- No revealing clothing.
Any Revealing Clothing
If they say no
- Visits denied for dress code violations; denial form completed.
Visits will be denied for visitors failing to
- Operations Lieutenant or IDO makes final decision on attire.
will make the final decision.
What almost every prison bans
- Short skirts and dresses (each prison sets its own length)
- Sleeveless tops
- See-through or mesh clothing
- Shorts (kids are often an exception)
- Hats (religious head coverings usually allowed)
- Khaki, or anything like the inmate uniform
- Open-toe shoes
- Backless, strapless or halter tops
- Tight or form-fitting clothing
- Sweatpants and sweatshirts
- Leggings and spandex
- Flip-flops and sandals
- Offensive words, gang colors or symbols
- Low-cut tops
- Camouflage
- Anything showing the stomach
An outfit that passes almost everywhere: jeans or slacks with no holes, a plain t-shirt with sleeves (no words, not khaki or green), closed-toe shoes, a sports bra, no hat.
From each prison's visiting rules on bop.gov, checked November 2, 2026. Turned away for something not in the rules? Tell us.